Chapter 22 #2
The way they’re speaking, eyes locked on one another, it’s as if they’ve completely forgotten there are other people in the room, and as the two men lean in towards each other, I realise that’s exactly what’s happened.
My eyes catch Thessa’s. The Sanning is watching the men with the same level of interest as I am, although Caz, with her nose still in her book, is completely oblivious to the thick sexual tension.
Benny and Ruben’s lips touch, and the kiss that follows is so scorching that I fan myself a little.
Ruben lets out a low groan, and suddenly the pair leap back simultaneously, as though they’ve just remembered where they are. In unison, they turn to look at Thessa and me, matching deep red blushes going all the way up to the tips of their ears.
‘Any chance you can forget you just saw that?’ Ruben asks plaintively.
‘Nope.’ My cheeks are aching from how much I’m grinning. ‘No, I definitely cannot forget I just saw that. Nope, you two randomly snogging at breakfast will be seared in my memory forever.’
‘What!’ Caz’s eyes snap up. ‘You two were just snogging?’
‘No!’ Benny objects. ‘Well, just a little.’
‘Yes,’ I snicker. ‘Yes, they were. Benny is so sick of riverweed that he thought he’d have a mouthful of Ruben instead,’ I tease.
I can’t believe how light this development makes me feel. The two are smitten. I can see it more than ever.
‘Well, almost as exciting as you two finally not sneaking about in secret is what I’ve just read.
’ Caz taps the book in front of her. ‘It says in here that the Issen do spell work as well. Apparently, they can spell ice so that it never melts. Or at least, it doesn’t melt for centuries.
It’s what they use for their buildings, but they also use it on the weapons when they fight.
It’s why the fire wielders can’t melt their swords. ’
‘Yeah, I learned that too,’ I tell her, chewing on my first mouthful of riverweed.
‘You did?’ she questions.
‘A little girl gave me a wolf statue she made of Fen. Really sweet, actually. Absolutely stunning detail. She said her mother spelled it so that it wouldn’t melt. And so far it hasn’t.’
‘Seriously?’ Caz puts the book down completely, letting the pages fall shut. ‘Can I see it? I mean, if it’s small, can I hold it and—’
‘Yeah, ’course you can,’ I cut her pleading short. ‘Whenever you want.’
Rather than responding, her cheeks draw inwards slightly as she squeezes her lips together.
‘Oh,’ I say, realising what the expression means. ‘You mean you want me to get it right now?’
‘Only if it’s not a problem?’
‘No, no, it’s fine,’ I tell her, laughing. ‘I’ll just pop up to my room and get it. Try not to eat all this delicious riverweed while I’m gone.’
‘You know it really does grow on you,’ Benny says, going in for another spoonful. ‘I’m not saying I want to do the entire journey back on it, but maybe a couple of dried pieces wouldn’t be so bad.’
‘Really?’ Ruben says. ‘Look at you, a change of heart. Actually, while we’re talking about food, I spoke to Moira in the kitchen yesterday and I asked for a special treat at breakfast.’
‘You did?’ Benny puts down his spoonful of riverweed.
‘Yeah. I know you’re struggling with a diet of the same thing day in and day out, and they actually had some flour from some trade, and this dried sweetener thing too, so I did a little bit of experimenting and—’
As if summoned, in comes a servant with a covered platter in his hands. He sets it down on the table, and we all watch as he removes the lid with a flourish before walking out, leaving us staring at the offering.
Benny’s mouth is open. ‘They’re green,’ he says finally. ‘Green cakes.’
‘Riverweed cakes,’ Ruben explains. ‘They taste better than they look.’
Tentatively, Benny reaches down, picks one up, and takes a bite. His eyes widen. ‘Oh Gods.’
‘They’re okay, right?’ Ruben asks, a slight quiver of nerves in his tone.
‘They are amazing!’ Benny snaffles down the rest of the one he’s holding, then reaches for another, only to stop and turn to Ruben. ‘You got the kitchen to do this?’
‘That’s where I was when you couldn’t find me yesterday.’
‘You did this for me?’
Ruben shrugs. ‘Like I said, I know you need your food.’
The other cake drops to the table as Benny clasps Ruben’s face in his hands and pulls him into a kiss.
Last time, they forgot they had company; now, they just don’t care.
Benny’s hands slide around the back of Ruben’s neck, pulling him closer, and I find my cheeks reddening at the intimacy of the moment.
‘Let me go fetch you that wolf,’ I say to Caz, backing away from the table.
‘You’re leaving us with this?’ Thessa objects, gesturing at the still-kissing men.
‘Just for a minute.’ I turn to leave, only to twist back and reach with my lace-patterned hands to grab Kyor a cake. I might not expect him to have the same enthusiastic reaction as Benny did, but at least I’ll know he’s eating.
The grin is still firmly back on my face as I bound up the stairs, as desperate to tell Kyor about this new relationship development as I am to get Caz the spelled ice wolf.
Inside our room, I set the cake on Kyor’s bedside table and then head straight to the window ledge where I left the ice statue.
In the buttery hues of the morning light, it takes on a whole different dimension.
It’s so simple, but the proportions are so exact, and the way two of the paws are lifted ever so slightly from the ground, the ends pointing down, is exactly the way they look when Fen is walking.
I wish I’d asked the girl how long it took her to learn such a skill, but it’s a question I can ask Toren instead. I could possibly ask Stefan too, although we probably have more important things to focus on than me learning to make cute ice ornaments. Priorities. But one day…
‘Kyor,’ I call, wondering if he’s still in the shower. ‘I left you a present on your bedside.’
With the wolf in my hand, I turn to leave, only to be struck by the sudden sense of quiet.
Isthyr is always quiet, without the birdsong, bartering, or the general day-to-day buzz of the cities in Morathka, and it has taken some getting used to.
But this quiet feels even deeper. After a beat, I realise why.
There’s no sound of running water from the bathroom behind me.
‘Kyor?’ I call again. I hear the rustle of steps, but before I can turn, I feel him behind me. The hard planes of his body press against mine, and I fight every urge I have to arch against him. ‘You’re out of the shower already?’
I expect him to respond, but my question is met by silence and then a scattering of sparks rippling across my belly.
‘Shall we test your control one more time, Thorn?’ he growls into my ear. Gods, I’d give anything to give in to him, but Caz is waiting … and the Veil is waiting … and as I look down at the lace that decorates my hands, I know my time is running out.
Dammit, what I wouldn’t give for a day or two of nothing to do but spend time with Kyor.
I turn in his arms and am nearly speechless as I take in his naked form. A droplet of water trails down his rippling abs, my tongue begging me to follow its trail.
I swear Kyor can read the regret in my eyes as he leans in close and kisses me on the forehead, somehow making it even more tempting to stay.
‘Later,’ he murmurs against my skin. ‘Later I will take you to the very edge of your control and see just how much you can stand.’
With that delicious promise, he walks to the wardrobe to dress, and I stumble from the room on knees so weak I’m surprised they can carry me down to the dining room. I can’t wait for later.
A beaming Caz leaps from her seat when I enter. ‘Oh, this is amazing,’ she says, her hands instantly reaching out before freezing a hair’s breadth from the ice work. ‘Can I borrow it for today? Is that all right?’
I grin because if anyone can appreciate craftsmanship, it’s Caz. ‘Just take good care of it, won’t you? Toren’s niece made it for me.’
‘Of course,’ she promises, taking it carefully. ‘Wow, I can’t believe a child made this! It’s incredible.’
‘It is,’ I say, eyeing my plate of riverweed and thinking better of it. ‘I think I’ll head to the temple before training and then attempt the Veil again.’
‘Everything all right, Rosey?’ Ruben asks. His lips are momentarily not locked with Benny’s, but they are still holding hands above the table.
My brow furrows as I consider what to say. Something tells me that the third stage of the Veil is going to be less straightforward than the others and I’m more than a little nervous to face it. I just hope I can get past it – and soon.
‘All good,’ I lie, forcing a smile as I head to the door. ‘Just thinking. Preparing. You know, Veil stuff.’
Just before I reach the corridor, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
‘You sure you’re okay?’ Ruben asks, his tone quiet, worried. ‘You don’t look right. This isn’t about … you know … Benny and me?’
‘What? No! No, absolutely not. I’m thrilled for you two.’
‘Really?’ A worried crease remains between his brows.
‘Absolutely. It’s just, there’s a lot going on right now. You know, the Veil, and vision slips showing Rottings on the move, and all that.’
My words only deepen Ruben’s concern. ‘I’m sorry, that was self-centred of me. Of course you have way too much going on. I should have thought.’
An unexpected laugh breaks free from my lungs. ‘Ruben, you are the least selfish person I have ever met. Now go, enjoy breakfast with your boyfriend.’
Ruben’s jaw slackens. ‘No, no, I don’t think… We’re not—’
‘Looks like that to me,’ I reply before turning around and stepping out the door.
I find Kyor in the hallway, leaning against the balustrade of the staircase.
‘Hey, beautiful.’ He grins, and I return it. There’s something about his smile that never fails to cause a swarm of butterflies to take my insides hostage, and now’s no different. As he pulls me in to kiss me, I feel myself melt against him.
‘Shall we check on the wolves? Together?’ he adds suggestively.